Whether you're a tenant or a homeowner, there are plenty of things to tick off when moving in.
1. Insurance - For renters and owners alike, you’ll want to protect your home against the kind of damage that can be caused by extreme weather events, accidents or vandalism. The great news is you can get immediate cover over the phone or online. You’ll also want to make sure you have funds to replace your belongings should they be damaged or stolen. And don’t wait until you’ve moved in – it’s prudent to get covered when contracts exchange. Home buildings and contents insurance like that provided by NRMA Insurance will cover you for theft and vandalism, damage from floods and fire, and emergency repairs. And if your home needs to be rebuilt, NRMA Insurance will pay for the build, up to the insured amount.
Alex Dunn, executive manager of property claims at NRMA Insurance, says when you’re buying a home, you’ll want to get insurance as soon as you have a financial interest in the property, which is generally when contracts are exchanged. She says that, as a renter, you can take out a contents insurance policy or opt for single-item insurance for valuables like laptops or jewellery. This means if your home is broken into, you’re covered with NRMA Insurance, even if you accidentally leave a window or door unlocked.
2. Connect Utilities - No hot water for showering is uncomfortable and no gas for cooking is frustrating. And if you don’t have access to the internet there’s no telling what kind of domino effect that might have on work and family life. Danielle Johnson, director of movinghouse.com.au, says clients frequently underestimate how long the NBN or a changeover of internet service providers will take. “People get stressed that it won’t be changed over in time and that’s unnecessary stress if you can start counting down to your move from four weeks.” Johnson says this will give you enough time to contact utility providers and arrange for connections at your new abode by your move-in date. It can also be a good opportunity to get a better deal on your energy, gas and internet bills.
3. Safety and Security - Before the removalist truck arrives it’s a good idea to do a complete walk-through of your new home and check for any safety or security issues. Are any repairs required? Do doors lock and unlock successfully? Are there any water leaks? Have restrictors been installed on upper-level windows? Are the smoke detectors working? Where is the electric switchboard and does the circuit breaker work? Where is your water meter and how do you turn it off? This initial check might help avoid unexpected problems after you’ve settled in.
Johnson also recommends a thorough property handover from your agent or builder, so that you understand how everything works. “Many times we hear from clients saying, ‘We still can’t work out how to use the heater’, or ‘We can’t work out how to lock this door properly,’” she says. “You need to know how to operate what’s in the house, whether you are the tenant or the new homeowner.”
Source: Kate Farrelly - (in Partnership with NRMA)
in Top Tips
Archived Posts
- October 2024 (2)
- September 2024 (1)
- August 2024 (1)
- July 2024 (1)
- June 2024 (2)
- March 2024 (1)
- February 2024 (2)
- November 2023 (1)
- September 2023 (2)
- August 2023 (3)
- July 2023 (4)
- June 2023 (4)
- May 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (2)
- January 2023 (3)
- December 2022 (2)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (7)
- September 2022 (7)
- August 2022 (9)
- July 2022 (13)
- June 2022 (8)
- May 2022 (9)
- April 2022 (3)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (1)
- January 2022 (2)
- December 2021 (5)
- November 2021 (6)
- October 2021 (6)
- September 2021 (6)
- August 2021 (5)
- July 2021 (5)
- June 2021 (8)
- May 2021 (4)
- April 2021 (5)
- March 2021 (2)
- February 2021 (4)
- January 2021 (6)
- October 2020 (6)
- September 2020 (6)
- August 2020 (10)
- July 2020 (4)
- June 2020 (4)
- May 2020 (2)
- April 2020 (5)
- March 2020 (4)
- February 2020 (7)
- January 2020 (3)
- December 2019 (2)
- November 2019 (2)
- October 2019 (8)
- September 2019 (6)
- August 2019 (3)
- July 2019 (6)
- June 2019 (4)
- May 2019 (8)
- April 2019 (8)
- March 2019 (7)
- February 2019 (3)
- January 2019 (2)
- December 2018 (2)
- November 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (2)
- May 2018 (4)
- April 2018 (2)
- March 2018 (4)
- October 2017 (1)
- September 2017 (1)
- July 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (1)
- February 2017 (1)
- December 2016 (1)
- November 2016 (1)
- October 2016 (1)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (1)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (1)
- May 2016 (1)
- February 2016 (2)
- January 2016 (1)
- November 2015 (2)
- October 2015 (2)
- September 2015 (2)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (2)
- May 2015 (1)
- April 2015 (2)
- March 2015 (7)
- February 2015 (7)
- January 2015 (1)
- December 2014 (1)
- November 2014 (2)
- October 2014 (2)
- September 2014 (2)
- August 2014 (3)
- July 2014 (6)
- June 2014 (4)
- February 2014 (4)
- October 2013 (1)
- September 2013 (1)
- August 2013 (1)
- June 2013 (2)
- May 2013 (1)
- October 2012 (1)
- April 2012 (1)
- March 2012 (2)
- December 2011 (2)
- November 2011 (4)
- October 2011 (5)
- September 2011 (4)
- August 2011 (3)
- July 2011 (2)
- May 2011 (1)